01 Feb 2021

Francistown based commissioned officers, amongst them 2 Brigade commander, Brigadier Joseph Seelo have embarked on an operation code named Leading from the front, to enforce compliance to COVID-19 health protocols.

Francistown is one of the areas experiencing escalating cases of the coronavirus and has recorded 1 115 and 15 related death cases.

The purpose of the operation which will end on February 4 is to contain the spread of the new COVID-19 variants.

“The Purpose of this operation is to engage officers in duties that are mostly carried out by troops in order for them to gain an insight and experience how to perform such duties,” said BDF protocol and public relations officer, Major Bernard Ragalase.

He said the other purpose was for commissioned officers to have a feel of what was happening on the ground and use the experience when they relief troops from the rank of private to warrant officers currently deployed in the areas of Francistown.  

He explained that the joint operations between the military and members of the Botswana Police Service would also enforce curfew regulations, explaining that the military was equally concerned with escalating cases on COVID-19 in the 2 Brigade Group.

“We want to lead by example from the top and as the military, we should do something to curb the spread of the virus,” he added. He said other similar operations in areas which are part of 2 Brigade Group were carried out in Selibe-Phikwe, Maun, Shakawe, Palapye and Mahalapye.

Major Ragalase explained that the operation was the first since the outbreak of the disease and it was expected to have an impact in combating the spread of the virus.

Brigadier Seelo explained that leadership was all about leading from the front and being exemplary. He explained that the operation would guide the leadership on how the army can best deal with the pandemic.

“The theory of leadership is to walk the talk to get a feel of what is happening on the ground,” he added.

He said after President Mokgweetsi Masisi had applauded the army for a job well done in the fight against the spread of COVID-19, 2 Brigade Group saw it fit to come up with another operation involving senior officers to get first-hand experience.

He said at the end of the operation a report on the operation would be compiled and its findings would be used in the fight against the spread of the virus. Brigadier Seelo also said the fight against COVID-19 should be a continuous thing not only by the army and other frontline fighters but a collaboration between all stakeholders.

He said army officers do random testing whenever they conduct such operations especially with COVID-19 and was happy that none of the officers tested positive. He attributed such to adherence to COVID-19 protocols when conducting COVID-19 operations. ENDS